In reality, every person, at certain times, would look back at their life, trace back the past, and look forward to the future. This was the so-called yesterday, today, and tomorrow. However, under normal circumstances, this kind of work was often only begun after people had grown tired of life or after they had reached a certain goal. The most common model was an old man fishing beside the Wei River while sighing about how life was like the flowing water under one's feet, flowing east and never returning.
Fan Xian was not Ku He. He did not have the hobby of fishing, and he was still young. However, his life had one more repetition than anyone else in this world. Calculating carefully, he should be a middle-aged man in his 30s, about to know his destiny. However, he was forced to stay in a beautiful, fragrant bag. The word "forced" was a bit pretentious, so let's not talk about it for now. However, he would still carry out some reflection.
It was not holding a beautiful woman and lamenting that he did not work hard for the good and just cause of humanity. Rather, he was searching for clarity in a kind of chaos, trying to find his determination and clear goal again. The present him was a bit muddled.
After being reborn, he had always been a person with a firm goal. On the cliff, he had once made three great wishes to Uncle Wu Zhu with the three representatives as the foundation. Up to now, the three great wishes had basically been fulfilled. However, there were few people who were as lustful as Fan Xian. The number of women by his side had never increased.
The foundation of the three great wishes was to continue living. For the sake of this goal, he had always worked hard, tough, and cold-blooded. Furthermore, the hidden skill or additional attribute of the three great wishes was the life ideal he had spoken of to Minister Fan: a powerful official.
Presently, in the Qing Kingdom and under heaven, Fan Xian could truly be called a powerful official. Wherever he went, no one disrespected him and no one did not fear him. However, it was truly like this. In the end, the young man who knew his destiny still became muddled. Was this really the life he wanted?
He was walking alone on the road from Hua Garden to the Jiangnan Governor's Mansion (I seem to have written a wrong place yesterday, sorry). He lowered his head like a philosopher, but a few Tiger Guards followed behind him. There were also many Overwatch Council secret agents protecting him from the shadows on both sides of the street.
"Sir Fan junior."
"Duke."
"Imperial envoy."
"Commissioner."
A string of names full of passion, flattery, and slight fear rang out from beside him. Fan Xian was startled and raised his head in astonishment. He found that he had already walked into the Jiangnan governor's manor. The officials of Jiangnan were standing on either side of him, looking at him with gazes full of affection and unspeakable passion and gentleness. It was as if the entire yamen, with his arrival, had suddenly been filled with countless fine horses that had eaten bad fodder, farting thunderously.
Fan Xian unconsciously scratched his head, not minding that this action had lost some of his official prestige. He laughed self-mockingly, driving away all the metaphysical things that had surrounded his mind earlier. Yes, life did indeed need a goal, but perhaps it was too early for him to start doubting life. Newton didn't become a real swindler until he was old, while Xiao Ai spent the latter half of her life gnashing her teeth at the Unification Army. However, these two people were, after all, back to the basics. Who was she?
In the end, he was still a commoner. He had to admit that he still enjoyed the benefits of vanity, power, money, and fame.
As Fan Xian greeted the officials amiably, he walked toward the study of the governor's manor. He thought to himself that he was different from Ye Qingmei. It was best not to sprinkle the glory of idealism on himself.
In this world, no, in all worlds, idealists were lonely and easy to die a violent death. Fan Xian could not accept either of these.
'It's better to be an honest official,' he thought to himself.
However, when he walked into Xue Qing's study and chatted with Xue Qing for a long time with his head lowered, he began to laugh at himself inside. Was being a powerful official something that could be done just because one wanted to? That would depend on whether or not the Emperor allowed it. A muddle-headed and incompetent Emperor could be controlled by a powerful official, but how could someone like the Emperor give him such an opportunity? He had lived for over 30 years, how could he still be so naive and adorable?
He stretched lazily and narrowed his eyes at Xue Qing, who was resting with his eyes closed. He cursed silently in his heart and opened his mouth to say, "Things like checking accounts can be left to the Ministry of Revenue. The palace treasury has always been managed by the Overwatch Council … why did the Imperial Censorate suddenly get involved? Didn't the Imperial Censors all go to prison a few months ago? Where did the Imperial Censorate find so many people to check accounts? Even if there were enough people, those people who only know how to stick to their books would probably faint when they saw the numbers on the accounts. Sir Xue, you have to submit a memorial on this matter … Jiangnan is fine, yet some people have come. It is truly unbearable. "
Xue Qing smiled and cursed silently in his heart. The Ministry of Revenue was opened by your old man, the Overwatch Council was managed by you, and the palace treasury was sat on by you. What was there to check? Jingdou had long had objections to this matter. Now, the Hall of Governmental Affairs had come up with a new idea. They were afraid that you would steal everything from the palace treasury and sell it.
However, Fan Xian had been in Jiangnan for a year and a half and worked well with Xue Qing. The two of them had a tacit understanding. Who knew how much Xue Qing had profited from him? These words could not be said clearly. After thinking for a bit, he said, "It's not impossible to have someone come to check, but you have a long-standing grudge with the Imperial Censorate. If you have them investigate, who knows if they will use their power to avenge a personal grudge?"
These words could only ever be said in private by these high-ranking officials.
"Can they not be stopped? Do that old man Shu Wu and Hu the Scholar have nothing better to do? " In any case, there were no outsiders in the study, so Fan Xian spoke angrily. However, he knew that although it was the Hall of Governmental Affairs who had sent the letter, it was actually the Emperor's intention. Having him hold the palace treasury and Overwatch Council in one hand was, in the end, not a suitable method. He had mixed a handful of He Zongwei's sand into the Overwatch Council in Jingdou and had been suppressed to the point of not daring to breathe by Ping Ping.
Fan Xian was wary of whether or not the Emperor did not believe his explanation regarding Zhaoshang money house or was wary of his relationship with the Northern Qi people. As for the matter of smuggling, he didn't care much. The Eldest Princess had already been gone for a decade, and he had only earned a year's worth of profit. With the flip of his hand, he had sent so much silver to the national treasury. The Emperor would not be so stingy.
Seeing Fan Xian's slightly unhappy expression, Xue Qing laughed and comfortingly said, "It's all for the people in court to see. What are you worried about? Even if they sent an imperial envoy to lead the three departments to investigate, with a flip of your hand, who would be able to find anything? Don't forget, you are also an imperial envoy. "
Xue Qing flipped his hand and took advantage of the situation to grab the cup of tea on the table and take a sip.
Fan Xian stared at his steady hand and a thought flashed through his mind. Xue Qing knew a little about the smuggling matter, but he didn't know the inside story, which was why he appeared so calm. If he knew that Fan Xian was secretly damaging the interests of the Qing Kingdom, this old man would probably throw this cup of tea to the ground in shock.
He was just about to pour some more oil and add to the fire when he unexpectedly saw Xue Qing put down the teacup and change his expression to one of seriousness.
When interacting in officialdom, particularly between a local Emperor like Xue Qing and a prince like Fan Xian, they would talk about important matters in a joking manner. This was to prevent them from feeling too estranged from each other and having an undesirable tendency towards coldness. Thus, it was the first time Fan Xian had seen Xue Qing's serious expression. He couldn't help but furrow his brows.
Xue Qing was silent for a long time. He then slowly opened his mouth and said, "Sir Fan junior, you know more about the Jingdou matter than I do. What is your opinion?"
Opinion? Opinion my ass. I have no opinion at all on such a major matter. Fan Xian closed his mouth and didn't make a sound. He only smiled and looked at the beard on Xue Qing's chin as if he admired it. In any case, in this world, other than the Great Grandmasters and the Emperor, he wasn't afraid of anyone. Naturally, he dared to put on such a clay statue appearance.
Xue Qing coughed and looked at Fan Xian's appearance. He knew that his question was too unprofessional and that the other party's shamelessness was even better than his. He smiled self-mockingly. After thinking for a moment, he straightforwardly said, "Let's be frank. The Emperor … is going to depose the heir."
Fan Xian was startled as if he hadn't heard these words clearly. A moment later, he came to his senses and abruptly stood up. Staring into Xue Qing's eyes, he didn't speak for a long time.
He was indeed shocked in his heart. He was not shocked at the deposed heir or that Xue Qing was discussing it with him. He was shocked that since Xue Qing dared to say it to his face, it was certainly not something he had guessed. Rather, the Emperor in the Palace had already leaked the news to his loyal followers. At the same time, he was beginning to spread the news in all directions through him.
Was public opinion about to begin?
Xue Qing's fingers gently tapped the surface of the table. Looking at him, he smiled slightly and said, "Sir Fan junior, why are you so shocked? Isn't this within your expectations? " He suddenly sighed. A trace of pity flashed between his brows. Slowly, he said, "Actually, I'm not afraid of you knowing. I've already submitted memorials to persuade the Emperor to give up on this idea. However, it was to no avail."
"You want me to also submit memorials?" Fan Xian looked at him.
Xue Qing said with slight mockery, "Everyone knows what your relationship with the Crown Prince is. I am not that stupid."
Pausing for a moment, he quietly said, "The Emperor has already made up his mind. As officials, we can only act according to the rules …" Speaking of this, Xue Qing paused again. It seemed that he was also very confused. The Crown Prince had clearly grown up these two years. He was sincere and had improved in all areas. Why did the Emperor suddenly want to depose the heir? However, he faintly guessed that something must have happened within the royal family. In front of Fan Xian, the illegitimate son of the royal family, he would not voice his doubts.
Fan Xian thought for a moment and then asked, "How many people know of this matter?"
"In Jiangnan, of course, only you and I know," Xue Qing said. "However, I believe that the governors of the seven Roads have all received the Emperor's secret edict. It all depends on when everyone will submit the edict."
Fan Xian laughed coldly in his heart. The Emperor was truly ruthless, even to the point of being muddle-headed. The Crown Prince's performance this year had been excellent. Not only did he not make any mistakes on his trip to Nanzhao, he had also won the praise of everyone in court. Presumably, if the Emperor wanted to depose the heir, it would be too difficult to find an excuse.
However, although the words of the seven Roads' governors had great power, they were, after all, officials. Who would lead them to do such a thing? Even if it was the Emperor's secret edict, the seven governors were not idiots. Presumably, they would not believe that they would have any good ending if they participated in the battle for the throne.
Xue Qing seemed to see what he was thinking and slowly said, "Presumably, I am the first official to submit a memorial to admonish the Emperor for deposing the heir."
Fan Xian calmly gazed into Xue Qing's eyes. He knew that this person was loyal to the Emperor, but he had not thought that he would be loyal to such a degree.
"The reason?" He furrowed his brows and reminded the other party.
Xue Qing smiled slightly and looked at Fan Xian. "This is the reason I invited you here today. The Emperor's meaning is clear. The Eighth Bureau should be moving."
Fan Xian had already returned to his chair. He tilted his head slightly and was lost in thought. To depose the heir, he had to use the Eighth Bureau of the Overwatch Council to start. Back in the day, many of the Crown Prince's weaknesses had fallen into the hands of the internal court and Overwatch Council. Additionally, there was the Jiangnan Ming family lawsuit regarding the battle for the legitimate eldest son's right to inheritance. No matter how one looked at this matter, if the Emperor wanted to depose the Crown Prince, he should be the lackey.
His expression was calm. It was impossible to see the agitation in his heart. A moment later, he said, "The places are places, and Jingdou is Jingdou. If it is just these actions, the backlash from the court will be great. The scholars of the Hall of Governmental Affairs will not watch as the Crown Prince is deposed for no reason."
What he said was the truth. The civil officials wholeheartedly worked for the Qing Kingdom and sought stability. Regarding the Emperor's seemingly absurd action, they would strongly oppose it. Who knew how many more strikes of the cane would ring out in court.
"In particular, the Overwatch Council cannot appear," Fan Xian said with his head lowered. Fan Xian lowered his head and said, "It is not convenient for me to appear. The Overwatch Council is a secret agency. I have never been on good terms with the Crown Prince. If some words come out of my mouth, it will only have the opposite effect."
"Your words are reasonable. I will report to the Emperor," Xue Qing said after thinking for a bit. Xue Qing thought about it and then said, "There is something His Majesty wants me to tell you. In a few days, His Majesty will go to worship the heavens."
Fan Xian was surprised again. He furrowed his brows for a long time before he slowly understood. Although the Way of Ghosts and Gods could not prevail in the Qing Kingdom and was not as deeply rooted in the hearts of the people as Northern Qi's Tianyi Dao, they still had great respect for the illusory Temple. If the Emperor could actually create some heavenly revelation …
With public opinion attacking the Crown Prince first, the Governors of the seven Roads sending in memorials, and then finding some officials to accuse the Crown Prince of being immoral and unfit to inherit the country, in the end, the Emperor was put in a difficult position. He personally went to worship heaven in the Temple and accepted heaven's order to depose the heir.
Hmm, what an absurd play, what a senseless trick.
Fan Xian shook his head and asked, "When?"
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